Pinkney, from Norcross, Georgia, is one of just two tight ends named to the Walter Camp Award, given annually to the college football player of the year.

Pinkney has racked up numerous honors leading to the Commodores’ season opener against Georgia on Aug. 31. He has been named to watch lists for the Walter Camp, Biletnikoff and John Mackey awards, earned All-America recognition from The Sporting News, Street & Smith’s and Phil Steele, and been included on virtually every All-SEC preseason team.

Pinkney becomes the second Commodore in as many years named as a preseason candidate for the Walter Camp Award, which will be announced Dec. 12 on ESPN. In 2018, quarterback Kyle Shurmur, a current member of the Kansas City Chiefs, was included in the Walter Camp watch list.

Pinkney enters his final year with 94 career receptions, 1,327 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches, all tops nationally among tight ends.

Pinkney ranks among the nation’s leading returnees at tight end. His 774 receiving yards from a year ago is the most of any tight end returning for the 2019 season. His 50 receptions and seven touchdown catches also rank among top returning totals for his position.

The Walter Camp Award, presented to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last year, is the nation’s fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. The Walter Camp watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in mid-November. The eventual winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s 53rd annual national awards banquet in New Haven, Connecticut.

Pinkney and the Commodores host Georgia in Vanderbilt Stadium in the Aug. 31 opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Season-ticket packages for the Commodores’ seven-game home schedule starts at only $308 for premium sideline seats and $178 for reserve end zone sections of Vanderbilt Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here.